What is Macula Lutea?
Macula or macula lutea is a central part of the retina, which is a layer of eye light processing. After the examination, the macula is a yellowish gray area with a bright yellow reflex in the center itself, which represents the most sensitive area for vision, fovea. The macula, which is responsible for acute visual discrimination, contains the highest percentage of cone cells, which are photoreceptors that process bright light and color perception. Macula damage leads to a loss of central vision or distortion of the visual image. Macular degeneration, progressive, degenerative macula disease, is the most common cause of serious loss of vision in persons over 50 years of age.
yellow pigmentation in Makula Lutea is a light reflected from screening pigments of macula - zeaxanthin and lutein. Macular pigments act as filters, testing harmful blue and ultraviolet light. Light rays with shorter wavelengths such as Blue and ultraviolet light cause damage to the lens and retina by producing toxic molecules fromfree radicals. Macular pigments acting in accordance with the lens block or divert harmful wavelengths to protect Fovea.
Two unique anatomical features of macula Lutea explain the occurrence of cherry red spots with certain eye conditions. Unlike the rest of the retina, the macular blood supply from the choroidal circulation is deep into the retina. The rest of the retina receives the blood of the central retinal artery. If the central retinal artery occurs, the entire retina is deprived of blood except for macula. Against the surrounding pale, non-filled retina, the macula seems bright red.
Cherry red spots can also be accompanied by certain congenital diseases of lipid storage such as Tay-Sachs' disease. These storage disorders lead to the accumulation of oily mattress in the layers of retinal cells. The lutea macula is relatively lacked by cells and is therefore spared from oily accumulation. Normal maculaNeighboring with a peripheral retina loaded on Lipid seems to be cherry red.
macular degeneration reduces central vision, but does not cause complete blindness. Risk factors for the disease include advanced age, positive family history of macular degeneration and cigarette smoking. Almost 90 percent of patients with macular degeneration have a slowly progressive dry form of macular degeneration. Another ten percent of patients with macular degeneration have a wet form that can progress rapidly and cause significant loss of vision due to leaking blood vessels. Nutritional supplements, including zinc, lutein and vitamins of antioxidants, help strengthen macular structures and avert the weakening forms of macular degeneration.
macular edema is the retention of fluids or swelling in the macula lutea. This condition may occur atrauma or surgery due to inflammation. It can also be the result of leak blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathy, condition affecting the blood vessel vessels, is a common cause of macularEdema. Swelling in macula can distort or reduce vision.